Are We Too Busy for Our Own Good?
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ocala/Marion County VCB. All opinions are 100% mine.
Are we too busy for our own good? How our hectic lifestyles affect both our family and our health —and what to do about it.
Recently I noticed something that bothered me.
Every time someone asked me, “Hey Stacey, how have you been?” I immediately answered, “Busy!”
Of course, being busy means that business is good, and for that I’m glad. But is being “busy” really how I want my life to be defined?
And is it affecting my family?
Are we too busy for our own good?
It seems that I’m not alone in my busy lifestyle — I actually read an article on ProjectTimeOut.com where the author lamented having the same “I’m busy” conversation over and over, just like me.
Believe it or not, the majority of Americans are so busy that they don’t even make sure to use all of their vacation days!
Sounds crazy — I mean, who wouldn’t want to use every single vacation day given to them? However a 2017 study by Project Time Off found that 54 percent of U.S. workers reported leaving vacation time unused (that adds up to 662 million days in 2016)!
Why don’t we take all of our vacation days?
The reasons vary — wanting to be seen as a hard worker, not planning ahead, and fear of getting behind (that’s me!!) to name a few.
However, the result is the same.
Workers that don’t use all of their vacation time report higher levels of stress and anxiety. Plus they’re just plain missing out!
The benefits of taking a break
The turning point for me came a few weeks ago, during a week long out-of-state trip for a family reunion.
I brought my computer along, worried about leaving my website unattended for seven days. I figured I could work a couple hours each day during our downtime.
You know how many times I opened up that laptop?
Three. (One of which was to watch a movie).
Sure, I didn’t get much work done. But the emails waited. Website traffic was steady. And man, did it feel good to not be busy!!
Taking a vacation, even for a weekend has immediate and lasting benefits:
- Promotes relaxation and reduces stress
- Improves mental well-being and focus when you return to work
- Builds better relationships with loved ones when you spend time together and share experiences
So go ahead, use ALL of those vacation days
If you’re worried about finding time to fit in a vacation, try planning a weekend escape!
On a budget? Look for values “off the beaten path” and away from usual destinations.
Ocala/Marion County, Florida is easily accessible in driving distance of most of the Southeast U.S. and offers a wide range of activities and attractions for the whole family. Many of these Ocala/Marion County Activities are very affordable, or even free!
You don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the wonders of the more than 600 lakes, rivers and springs in the area! And it doesn’t cost anything but time to hit the trails of the Ocala National Forest or the numerous other parks in Ocala/Marion County.
Not only will you feel rejuvenated, but you’ll build memories that your kids will remember for a lifetime! So go ahead and use those vacation days on a dose of Florida Travel – it’s just what the doctor ordered!
Plan your next trip and see Ocala/Marion County Lodging options here!
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